I am a teacher , i had my first job in a school and i loved the children but the job was demanding and soul destroying. I left as it was negatively affecting my mental health. I left at Easter 2 years ago and worked supply since . The money is fine on supply until the holidays - when I still work , 2 days per week , but it’s a financial struggle. I decided I wanted out of teaching - I couldn’t do supply forever ( I have only done one term ECT so I can only do 5 years of supply until I have to do the rest of my ECT) . Commitments at home are a factor . My eldest is disabled and attends college but I’m awaiting a decision on transport for September and if it’s not awarded I have no idea how they’re going to get there as it’s the other side of the city and can’t travel independently, only option is paying £100 a week in taxis or me driving - which obviously doesn’t fit around teaching .
I applied for and got a civil service role - still going through checks no confirmed start date etc . This role is 3 days office , 2 days home - flexible - ish ( but haven’t had the chat I just know shifts are between 7am and 8pm ) .. but I may be able to request 60% home instead of 40% due to caring responsibilities but this is all up in the air. It’s £200 a month less than what I would get full time teaching , but as I’m supply I am up and down so it’s more stable and it’s every month .
Im undecided about the CS role - although I’ve accepted - but I have heard there’s quick progressing so I’m hoping I can move up quick and maybe get a more flexible role there but that’s not guaranteed .
Now another spanner - I have just left a long term supply. I was offered a job there and declined as I didnt feel I could mentally do a whole year. The school was lovely but the workload as supply was high , along with a very challenging class - and I thought if it’s like this as supply ( no planning , no observations ) then I would struggle as permanent . But , after leaving yesterday I feel so sad . I had so many gifts , so many lovely handwritten cards from parents telling me how I have helped their child , the children were all crying , I had the staff and head telling me how amazing I had done …. And this is calling to that part of me that went in to teaching to help children , it’s like it’s calling to that part of me that dreamt of being a teacher and worked so hard to get there … before that part was destroyed by that same career .
I feel really unsure now of what to do and I don’t know if it’s just end of year , emotional and I’m looking back through rose tinted glasses !